‘Transformative’ relief road for Haverhill is now just weeks from completion

The end of the long-running saga of the new Haverhill relief road now appears to be firmly within sight - with the job expected to be completed by June.

The road, which will take traffic around the 1,200-unit north west Haverhill development being built by Persimmon Homes, was initially expected to be in use by spring 2023 but has faced numerous delays.

The most recent, lengthy hold-up was due to difficulties in getting a gas main diverted from the road by Cadent (which manages the gas network), in order to allow for construction to continue.

That, said Persimmon, has now been completed, with the developer saying in its most recent newsletter: “We have completed the installation of the gas main diversion and the drainage to the final section of road is currently being installed together with the storm water balancing ponds.

“The bridge at the Hales Barn Road roundabout end is currently being manufactured and is due to be installed this month.

“Once installed, this will allow the final section of road to be constructed.

“Landscaping works have also taken place along the first section of road at the Haverhill Road end up to the central roundabout.

“We remain on course for completion of the relief road towards the end of spring 2025.”

The road is needed to take traffic from the development - including the many construction vehicles - around Haverhill to the Cambridge side of town, therefore avoiding Wratting Road and the residential section of Withersfield Road.

When planning permission was given for the development by West Suffolk Council a requirement was set for the £9.7 million road to be completed either within five years of the start of construction – March 2023 – or once the first 500 new homes have been occupied.

Cllr Joe Mason, whose county council division includes the development site, said he has been told by Persimmon that it is on course to complete the road ‘by the end of May’.

He added: “Obviously it’s going to be transformative for the town.

“When it opens it’s going to make a huge difference.

“It’s going to relieve so much pressure and improve traffic flow around the town.”

Cllr Mason added: “The building of the relief road has not been an easy journey and I sympathise entirely with the residents, who have been immensely frustrated by the amount of time its taken for this road to be completed.

“We’ve waited so long for this it now looks like we are going to get an opening date soon.”